WO2016030597A1

WO2016030597A1 - Optical block of a vehicle with a mask having a photovoltaic cell powering means for heating the lens

Info

Publication number: WO2016030597A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/052078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Whilk Marcelino GONCALVES; Laurent Serezat
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2014-08-26
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: FR3025282B1; ES2894129T3; FR3025282A1; CN106662311A; EP3186547B1; EP3186547A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a optical block (BO) which is suitable for being provided on a vehicle and comprises a lens (G), heating means (MC) producing heat energy intended for heating the lens (G), at least one source (SL) generating photons intended for participating in a photometric function, at least one lens (L) suitable for deflecting the generated photons so as to direct same towards the lens (G), and at least one mask (M) comprising a surface (FM) suitable for reflecting incident photons which are not directed towards the lens (G) and comprising at least one photovoltaic cell (CP) arranged so as to convert received incident photons into an electric current suitable for powering the heating means (MC).

Description

PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL MASK VEHICLE OPTICAL BLOCK SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ICE HEATING

The invention relates to vehicle optical units which are equipped with heating means for heating their ice.

Some vehicle optical blocks comprise at least one source capable of generating photons intended to participate in a photometric function (lighting or signaling) and at least one lens capable of deflecting the generated photons so that they are directed towards an ice-cream providing the interface with the outside. When certain weather conditions are present outside the vehicle, condensation, or even ice, may form on the inner face and / or the outer face of the ice, which degrades the photometric function and incidentally damages the weather. visual impression of vehicle quality.

This phenomenon can be slightly reduced when the source participating in the photometric function generates a portion of its photons in the infrared range. But some sources, such as light-emitting diodes (or LEDs), produce almost no photons in the infrared.

In order to prevent the aforementioned phenomenon, it is possible to install in the optical block heating means for heating its ice. These heating means are supplied with electric current by the vehicle power supply network via electric cables, which induces a consumption of the available energy in the vehicle and therefore can reduce its autonomy.

The purpose of the invention is in particular to improve the situation.

It proposes for this purpose an optical unit intended to equip a vehicle and comprising an ice, heating means capable of producing calories for heating the ice, at least one source capable of generating photons intended to participate in a photometric function, at least one lens capable of deflecting the generated photons so that they are directed towards the ice, and at least one mask having a clean face to return incident photons not heading not towards the ice.

This optical unit is characterized in that its mask comprises on its return face at least one photovoltaic cell which is arranged to convert incident photons received into a clean electric current to supply the heating means so that they produce clean calories to warm the ice.

An optical unit is thus obtained provided with heating means advantageously supplied with electric current by at least one photovoltaic cell, which proves to be economical.

The optical block according to the invention may comprise other characteristics that can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- Its heating means can be resistive type and flat;

in a first embodiment, its heating means can be installed on part of an inner face of the ice;

its heating means can be installed on a peripheral portion of the inner face of the ice;

in a second embodiment, its heating means may be installed on a part of a rear face of a part comprising the source, the rear face being opposed to a front face from which the photons generated by the source depart;

it may comprise at least one lighting device, on the one hand, comprising the source and the lens, and, on the other hand, rotatably mounted around at least a first predefined direction;

each piece may be able to be rotated around the first predefined direction.

Each piece can be adapted to be rotated about a second predefined direction perpendicular to the first predefined direction. In this case the lens can be coupled in rotation to the associated part;

each source may comprise at least one light emitting diode.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising at least one optical block of the type of that presented above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically and functionally illustrates, in a longitudinal sectional view, an exemplary embodiment of an optical block according to the invention, and

- Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an alternative embodiment of a lighting device for equipping an optical unit according to the invention.

The object of the invention is notably to propose an optical block BO intended to equip a vehicle and provided with heating means MC.

In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the optical block BO is intended to equip a motor vehicle. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns any type of vehicle equipped with at least one optical unit comprising a lighting device and an ice having inner and outer faces on at least one of which may form condensation or ice.

Here, the term "lighting device" means a light device intended to participate in at least one photometric lighting or signaling function.

Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, the optical block BO is a headlight (or front projector). But the invention is not limited to this type of optical block. It also concerns the front lights and rear lights.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a simplified embodiment of an optical block BO according to the invention (here a lighthouse for non-limiting example).

As illustrated, an optical block BO, according to the invention, comprises, on the one hand, an internal space El delimited in particular by an ice-cream G and in which at least one light source SL is installed, at least one lens L and at least one mask M, and, secondly, heating means MC.

In the nonlimiting example illustrated in FIG. 1, the internal space E1 of the optical block BO comprises only a light source SL associated with a lens L and a mask M. The optical unit BO therefore comprises only a single lighting device DE comprising in particular the light source SL and the lens L. But the optical block BO could comprise several (at least two) lighting devices DE, possibly associated with several (at least two) masks M.

The ice G is fixedly secured (for example by gluing) and sealed to a housing. It can be made of transparent plastic or synthetic material or glass.

The heating means MC are arranged to produce calories which are intended to heat the ice G, when they are supplied with electric current.

Each (the) light source SL is able to generate photons that are intended to participate in a photometric function (lighting or signaling).

For example, the (each) light source SL may comprise at least one light emitting diode (or LED). Alternatively, it may comprise at least one laser diode or a gas laser or a lamp (or bulb).

Each (the) lens L is arranged to deflect the photons generated by the associated source SL so that they move towards the ice G (arrow F1). Note that the lens L may optionally deflect the photons generated so that they go to the ice G after being returned by a reflector. In this case, the lighting device DE also comprises such a reflector. In an alternative embodiment, the reflector could be interposed between the source SL and the lens L, rather than placed downstream of the lens L. Each (the) mask M includes a so-called FM face of return because it is adapted to return incident photons that do not go directly to the ice G. This deflection face FM is for example aluminized.

Note that in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 1, the mask M is placed below the level of the lighting device DE to return the photons upwards. In an inverted embodiment, the mask M may be placed above the level of the lighting device DE in order to return the photons downwards. But the mask M can also partially or completely surround the lighting device DE.

By way of non-limiting example, the photometric function provided by the lighting device DE is intended for external lighting. Therefore, it may include a function of dipped beam (or code), a fog lamp function, or a high beam function. But the photometric function provided by the lighting device DE could be intended for signaling.

The deflection face FM of the mask M comprises at least one photovoltaic cell CP arranged to convert incident photons it receives (arrow F2) into an electric current which is able to supply the heating means MC to produce calories. suitable for heating ice G.

It will be noted that these incident photons can come as well from the lens L (because a part of the photons generated is not sufficiently deflected towards the ice-cream G), than from the outside of the vehicle (it is then a matter of solar photons, for example). As a result, the photovoltaic cell CP can produce electric power both when the source SL is in operation and when the source SL does not operate. Of course in the latter case the intensity of the electric current produced is less.

It will be noted that the heating means MC are preferably (but not exclusively) of the resistive and flat type. For example, it may be resistive tracks of the type that are frequently secured to the rear vehicle glasses to demist by heating. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in FIG. 1, the heating means MC are installed on part of an internal face FI of the ice-cream G, for example by gluing or screen printing, or even by integration in microchannels or ribs. More specifically, in this example the heating means MC are installed on a peripheral portion PP of the inner face FI of the glass G, in order not to reduce the performance of each photometric function provided by the optical block BO. But when a predefined part of the lens G is not used to let the photons participating in a photometric function, the heating means MC can be installed on this predefined part.

In another nonlimiting example illustrated in FIG. 2, the heating means MC may be installed on part of a rear face FR of a part PS which comprises the source SL. This rear face FR is opposite a front face from which the photons that are generated by the source SL start.

Note that in this other example, the source SL and the lens L are part of a lighting device DE which is rotatably mounted around at least a first predefined direction A1. For example, and as illustrated without limitation, the part PS (which includes the source SL) is also adapted to be rotated around the first predefined direction A1. This first direction is for example substantially vertical so as to allow the placement of the rear face FR of the piece PS opposite the ice G, to bring as close as possible the heating means MC of the ice G and thus optimize its heating, or facing the bottom of the housing of the optical block BO (opposite to the ice G) so that the lens L is placed opposite the glass G so that the photometric function is ensured.

Note also that in this other non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 2, the workpiece PS is adapted to be rotated about a second predefined direction A2 which is perpendicular to the first predefined direction A1.

More specifically, the lens L is integral with an ML mount forming part of an ER crew secured to an AS frame rotatably mounted. around a first axis parallel to the first predefined direction A1 (and hereinafter assimilated to the latter). The lens L is made of a transparent material. It is preferably a synthetic plastic material, for example a polyacrylate, which has the advantage of offering good optical properties (including good transparency) and mechanical properties (including good rigidity).

The lens L has a front diopter (in this case convex) which defines a primary optical axis 01, and a rear diopter (in this case concave) opposite. The front diopter and the rear diopter are connected by a slice which forms a lateral diopter defining a secondary optical axis O2. In the example illustrated, the contour of the lens L is substantially rectangular, but this shape is given for illustrative purposes only.

According to a preferred embodiment, the front and rear diopters are arranged so that the primary optical axis 01 and the secondary optical axis O2 are perpendicular and extend jointly in a vertical plane also containing the first axis of rotation A1.

The mount ML is preferably metallic, and comprises two lateral branches (which, as in the example shown, can be bent), connected by a transverse bar in which is anchored the lens L.

By its branches, the mount ML is rotatably mounted relative to the armature AS about a second axis parallel to the second predefined direction A2 (and hereinafter assimilated thereto). This second axis A2 is for example formed by pivots (not shown) connecting the branches to the arms of the armature AS at one end thereof. Similarly, the second axis A2 extends to one end of the branches opposite to the crossbar.

The ER crew includes the PS part containing the source SL. This part PS also comprises a reflector RL defining a concave front reflective face opposite which the source SL is placed to supply it with photons of illumination, and an opposite rear face FR convex, the front and rear faces FR being connected by a slice. The character reflective of the front face is for example procured by a silver coating.

Moreover, the lens L is here rotatably coupled to the piece PS, in order to follow it in its movements.

It will be noted that the lighting device DE illustrated in FIG. 2 may optionally be installed in an optical block BO whose ice-cream G is also provided with complementary heating means MC.

Whatever the embodiment considered of the optical block BO, when the electric current that is produced by the photovoltaic cell (s) CP (s) is not sufficient to operate properly the heating means MC (and / or the complementary heating means MC), it is the power supply network RE of the vehicle that is responsible for supplying the complementary electric current.

Note also that the power supply of the heating means MC by the (the) cell (s) photovoltaic (s) can be done either directly via electrical cables that connect them, or indirectly via electrical cables and means control (preferably also connected to the RE power supply). Such control means are intended to control the power supply of the heating means MC, in particular to prevent them from supplying the heating means MC when this is not necessary.

Claims

1. Optical block (BO) adapted to equip a vehicle and comprising an ice (G), heating means (MC) capable of producing calories for heating said ice (G), at least one source (SL) capable of generating photons for participating in a photometric function, at least one lens (L) adapted to deflect said photons generated so that they are directed towards said ice (G), and at least one mask (M) having a clean face (FM) to return incident photons not directed towards said ice (G), characterized in that said mask (M) comprises on its face (FM) at least one photovoltaic cell (CP) arranged to convert incident photons received into a current electrical supply able to supply said heating means (MC) so that they produce calories suitable for heating said ice (G).

2. Optical block according to claim 1, characterized in that said heating means (MC) are resistive and flat type.

3. optical unit according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said heating means (MC) are installed on a portion of an inner face (FI) of said ice (G).

4. Optical block according to claim 3, characterized in that said heating means (MC) are installed on a peripheral portion (PP) of said inner face (FI) of the ice (G).

5. An optical unit according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said heating means (MC) are installed on a part of a rear face (FR) of a part (PS) comprising said source (SL). ), said rear face (FR) being opposite a front face from which said photons generated by said source (SL).

6. An optical unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one lighting device (DE), on the one hand, comprising said source (SL) and said lens (L), and, on the other hand, rotatably mounted about at least a first predefined direction.

Optical block according to the combination of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said workpiece (PS) is adapted to be rotated about said first predefined direction.

8. Optical block according to claim 7, characterized in that said piece (PS) is adapted to be rotated around a second

5 predefined direction perpendicular to said first predefined direction, and in that said lens (L) is rotatably coupled to said workpiece (PS).

9. Optical block according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said source (SL) comprises at least one light emitting diode.

10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical block (BO) according to one of the preceding claims.